On December 11, 2010, Cornelius van Zwoll slipped the surly bonds of Earth. He was born in Rochester NY on November 12, 1916, to John and Adrianna (Vander Pyjl) van Zwoll. Neil earned his Bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, his Master’s from the University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He served in the Army during WW II; Signal Corps (China, Burma, India). He was also employed by the National Security Agency, and served in the Reserves; retiring as a Major. On May 29, 1946, Neil married Ruth De Beer in Grand Rapids MI.

Cornelius began his professional career as a teacher, then principal at North Paterson NJ’s Christian Academy. He taught in Waukesha WI, and in Michigan at Calvin College, Albion College, and Alma College. In 1968, he took the position of Chairman of the Russian and German Department at De Pauw University in Greencastle IN. Throughout his career, he taught Latin, French, German, Russian and Literature. He retired from De Pauw University in 1982.

In May, 2001, Ruth and Neil moved to Mt. Carmel IL, where Ruth died on December 23, 2003. Also preceding Cornelius in death were his parents, two infant siblings, and sisters: Katherine Heuvelhorst and Nellie Gray; brothers Richard, James, and Lawrence van Zwoll; and granddaughter, Sarah van Zwoll. Surviving are sisters Lorraine Doornbos, Grand Rapids MI, and Joan Smith, Oregon IL. Also surviving are all three children of Neil and Ruth: Wayne (wife Alice) van Zwoll, Bridgeport WA, Dean van Zwoll, Oscoda MI, Kim (husband Brad) O’Neal, Mt. Carmel IL, daughter-in-law, Sue van Zwoll, Oscoda MI; three grandchildren: Rebekah (husband Chris) Skaggs, Mary Beth (husband Tony) Serra, Mark (wife Carolyn) van Zwoll; and two great-grandchildren, Odin and Elsa Skaggs.

There will be no services. Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton is in charge of arrangements.